Effect of Light on Ethylene Production: Red Light Enhancement of 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic Acid Concentration in Etiolated Pea Shoots

Abstract

Summary Seven day old etiolated pea seedlings (Pisum sativum L. cv Vorbote) were illuminated with red light (3.3 Wm-2) for 15 min. After different time intervals ethylene production in intact seedlings, and ACC content and ACC-mediated ethylene production («ACC-oxidase» activity) in crude extracts were measured. The red light pulse resulted in an increased ACC content (maximum after 3 h) followed by a rise in ACC oxidase activity and of ethylene production in intact seedlings. The red light effects were reversed by 15 min far red (0.3 Wm-2) illumination suggesting that synthesis of ACC is, in this case, regulated via phytochrome.